Coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria among undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite widespread rise in anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a paucity of studies of coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria, which is searching for more health-related information, among medical students. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria in the context of COVID-19 in undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done between August 24, 2020 and September 5, 2020. A total of 280 students have given consent to participate in the study by filling online self-designed questionnaire, coronavirus anxiety scale, and cyberchondria severity scale-12. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 20 using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Coronavirus-related anxiety was present in 55% of the students. Moderate and severe cyberchondria were seen in 39% and 50% of the students, respectively. Association between coronavirus anxiety and severity of cyberchondria was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Majority of the students spent >2 h in watching or reading COVID-19 related news. Conclusions: As significant number of medical students had anxiety and cyberchondria related to COVID-19, medical colleges have to implement necessary psychological interventions to safeguard the students' mental health. © 2022 by the Author(s).